Evidence for Repair Processes in the Invigoration of Seeds by Hydration

Seeds with low vigour as a result of ageing showed a large improvement in seed quality following a 2 h soak in water, reflected in an increased rate of germination, higher emergence in soil, and the retention of high germination after 24 h rapid ageing in a controlled deterioration vigour test. Similar, but smaller improvements were seen after a priming treatment using polyethylene glycol. Seeds dried to their initial moisture content after treatment retained these beneficial effects. The treatments had little effect on high vigour seed. These findings suggest that seed invigoration by hydration treatments results from the repair of previously sustained deterioration.